Agenda item

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

 

“1.0     Purpose of Report / Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1 The purpose of this report is to:

 

·       Update Committee on the Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2025 / 2026 programme.

 

·       Seek approval to extend Council’s involvement into the BCRPP to 2026 / 2027.

 

2.0 Recommendations

 

2.1 Members are asked to:

 

·       Note a presentation will be made at Committee from representatives from the Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP).

 

·       Note the update on the BCRPP 2025 / 2026 programme as set out in this report.

 

·       Approve that officers continue to support the delivery of the BCRPP 2026 / 2027  programme including governance processes, administering programme funded expenditure and entering into associated contracts on behalf of and with oversight from the Taskforce, and in line with Council's procurement processes.

 

·       Approve Council investment (from existing and approved City Regeneration and Development Budget) as part of the wider public private sector partnership contribution towards the delivery of the BCRPP 2026 / 2027 programme.

 

·       Approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2027 as part of the BCRPP 2026 / 2027 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM will be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget.

 

·       Approve attendance of the Chair of the City Growth & Regeneration Committee and the Council’s nominated Elected Member / Chair of the BRCD Council Panel, or their nominated representatives, to attend UKREiiF 2027 as part of the BCRPP 2026 / 2027 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at UKREiiF 2027 will be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget.

 

3.0 Background

 

3.1 The Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) is a joint public–private initiative delivering a structured programme of work to attract inclusive investment that supports regeneration, infrastructure development, and a modern built environment for Belfast and the wider City Region.

 

3.2 The Partnership is supported by a broad coalition of public, private and anchor institutions, including Belfast City Council, all Belfast Region City Deal partner councils, Belfast Harbour, Translink, Queen’s University Belfast, and representatives from the local development and regeneration sector.

 

3.3 Members will recall that this Committee agreed in May 2026 to receive a presentation from representatives of the BCRPP in June 2026. The purpose of the presentation is to update Members on the 2025/2026 programme of work and the proposed approach to the 2026/2027 programme, including priority issues and objectives for the Partnership moving forward.

 

3.4 Members may also recall that BCRPP representatives presented to this Committee in June 2025. The Committee subsequently approved Council participation in the 2025/2026 Programme of Work, as part of a wider public–private sector approach and recommended the establishment of a Community Forum/Reference Group. This was intended to provide a mechanism for engagement between the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sectoral Advisory Panel (for Community Planning) and BCRPP partners.

 

3.5 In terms of context, Belfast City Council has, for over a decade, worked collaboratively with public and private sector partners to proactively promote Belfast to local, national and international audiences to attract capital investment. This supports the delivery of the growth ambitions set out in the Belfast Agenda and aligns with the Council’s strategic priority to position the city to compete globally for inclusive and sustainable investment.

 

3.6 Members will be aware that ‘Positioning the City to Compete’ is a key deliverable within the 2026/2027 City Growth and Regeneration Committee Plan, as agreed in April 2026, and is also aligned with the Council’s International Relations Framework 2025–2028, agreed in November 2025.

 

3.7 The Council plays an important civic leadership role as convener and facilitator, bringing together public and private partners to collectively promote Belfast as a competitive location for investment. This is particularly important in attracting international capital to support regeneration and development, recognising that delivery of growth ambitions requires both public and private sector funding.

 

4.0 Main Report

 

4.1 The Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2025/2026 Programme commenced on 1 September 2025 and is delivering a structured programme aimed at attracting inclusive investment to support regeneration, infrastructure and a modern built environment across Belfast and the wider City Region. The Committee presentation will provide an overview of progress and highlight key outputs from the current programme. Key areas of focus for the partnership include:

 

4.2 Communications

 

      The partnership has undertaken proactive, year-round media engagement to reinforce positive messaging around the Belfast region’s investment proposition, targeting local, national and international real estate and development audiences, including development of an interactive, digital investment guide showcasing real estate investment and development opportunities across the region.

 

4.3 Community Engagement

 

      Following a request from this Committee in June 2025, the BCRPP has established a Community Forum/Reference Group comprising representatives from the VCSE Sectoral Advisory Panel. While statutory public consultation requirements are already embedded within the Local Development Plan (LDP) and the planning application process, the Forum is intended to provide a broader platform for engagement with community representatives and to support BCRPP partners in maximising the social, environmental and economic benefits associated with forthcoming investment and development.

 

      Following formal establishment in November 2025, engagement has taken place with VCSE representatives, Council officers and BCRPP representatives on the role of the built environment plays in driving inclusive growth to help identify where local communities can most effectively engage in the city’s physical regeneration and development activity. It is envisaged that, moving forward, the Forum will support the dissemination of information to local communities on forthcoming development proposals and will help identify and support additional opportunities for community involvement in future projects.

 

4.5 Engagement and advocacy

 

      The Partnership has expanded activity to support two-way engagement with policymakers, the public sector and the real estate community. This includes advancing engagement to support the Belfast City Council led Belfast Place-Based Growth Proposition, which sets out the case for enhanced regeneration funding and proposes the establishment of a City Regeneration Fund focused on housing-led regeneration, green infrastructure and placemaking. The BCRPP has facilitated a number of high-level engagements including convening a joint Ministerial meeting with the Ministers for Finance, Economy, Infrastructure and Communities in September 2025; a meeting with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister held in April 2026; and subsequent follow up meeting with NICS and SIB in May 2025. In addition, following an invite from the BCRPP, the Minister for Communities attended UKREiiF supporting the Region’s presence at what has become the UK's leading forum for real estate, regeneration and infrastructure investment.

 

4.5 Scottish Cities Alliance Devolved Nations Political Leaders Meeting

 

      Following approval at Committee in February 2026, the Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Council’s nominated Elected Member/Chair of the BRCD Council Panel attended UKREiiF to participate in the Devolved Nations Political Leaders Meeting and wider BCRPP activity.

 

4.6 The Devolved Nations Political Leaders Meeting built on earlier engagement in January 2026 between the Scottish Cities Alliance, the Cardiff Capital Region and Belfast City Council to consider city?regional governance and devolution arrangements. The discussions highlighted a shared diagnosis of the ‘double squeeze’ facing cities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — characterised by UK?level decision?making and limited devolved powers — which restricts access to long?term funding, capital flows and policy discretion available to English Mayoral Authorities. Participants felt that deeper, faster devolution tailored to national contexts is required, supported by long?term funding under city control and strengthened multi?level governance between UK Government, devolved governments and city regions. Five areas of common ground were identified: the readiness of cities to deliver growth; the value of governance pluralism; the need for varied pace and models of devolution; opportunities for joined?up engagement through shared instruments; and the importance of a sustained collective voice in UK?level discussions. Participants considered continued group engagement and joint case-making to Westminster. Work is ongoing with representatives of the SCA and Cardiff Capital Region on a continued programme of engagement and next steps.

 

4.7 Investment focused events

 

      The 2025 / 2026 programme has included participation at national and international real estate showcase events, including representation at UKREiiF 2026 and MIPIM 2026, showcasing the Belfast City Region to global investors and developers.

 

4.8 At UKREiiF - the UK’s leading built environment showcase event, in addition to attending the Devolved Nations Political Leaders Meeting, elected members and senior officials undertook a range of engagements. This included attendance at the Belfast City Region Showcase Reception; the UKREiiF International Investment Dinner attended by senior UK Government Ministers, institutional investors and major UK developers; the City & Regions Breakfast with other UK city leaders; the ministerial roundtable with the NI Minister for Communities and Director of Core Cities UK; roundtable discussions and meetings with national and international investors and developers. Collectively, these engagements helped ensure that the regions’ voice was heard within conversations shaping future investment and regeneration priorities across the UK, while also facilitating shared learnings with other Core City elected representatives and senior officers.

 

4.9 In addition, senior officers attended MIPIM 2026, the world's leading built environment conference and exhibition which attracts approximately 20,000 public and private sector delegates from across the globe. Attendees included major European and UK cities such as London, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, Liverpool alongside, for the first time, an Ireland at MIPIM pavilion, an Irish Government led initiative aimed to showcase Ireland as a progressive, high-growth location for international investment. MIPIM provided a platform for Belfast to position itself to a global audience and attract interest from institutional investors, developers, occupiers and funders. 

 

4.10     BCRPP’s presence at UKREiiF and MIPIM has continued to stimulate significant investor and developer interest in Belfast and the wider region. Building on the strong engagement achieved at these flagship events, a coordinated programme of follow?up activity and inward?investment visits is now underway. This includes tailored engagement with:

 

·       New-to-market residential developers: major UK, Irish and international homebuilders considering expansion into Belfast and Northern Ireland.

 

·       Institutional investors: funds and asset managers with active mandates for housing-led regeneration, mixed?use districts and strategic infrastructure.

 

·       End?use occupiers: including FDI companies, commercial and leisure operators, innovation?hub providers and global hotel brands assessing opportunities for expansion into Belfast.

 

4.11     Proposed approach to 2026 / 2027

 

      The Partnership is governed by a Taskforce comprising representatives from both the public and private sectors. The Taskforce has endorsed continuation of the Partnership into 2026/2027 and the delivery of a structured, pillar-based programme of activity. The presentation to be delivered to Committee by BCRPP representatives will outline the core objectives and proposed programme of activity for 2026/2027.

 

4.12     BCRPP partners consistently express strong support for the value and benefits of participating in the wider public–private partnership and taking a coordinated approach to investment?promotion activity. While commercial sensitivities limit the detail that can be shared about specific investments secured for Belfast through this work, partners report a clear and shared view of the partnership’s added value. This includes its impact on elevating the overall positioning of the Belfast City Region, enhancing the visibility of real estate investment opportunities, and contributing directly to business and investment activity that has emerged as a result of the partnership’s work.

 

4.13     From a Council perspective, the key aims and objectives of continued participation in the BCRPP, and contribution to the programme, include:

 

·       Securing the investment required to support delivery of the city’s shared growth ambitions, as set out in the Belfast Agenda, the Local Development Plan, and BCCRIS, while recognising the wider economic benefits, including economic growth, increased rates generation and delivery of corporate priorities;

 

·       Strengthening advocacy and support for the Belfast Place-Based Growth Proposition;

 

·       Maximising the benefits of investment through the Belfast Region City Deal and opportunities presented by the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor;

 

·       Securing investment in the built environment across the city to support job creation, inclusive economic growth, and enhanced physical and social infrastructure; and

 

·       Securing investment in key infrastructure priorities, including waterfront regeneration, connectivity, net zero transition, and innovation-led projects.

 

·       Supporting delivery of the Council’s International Relations Framework 2025–2028;

 

4.14     Council plays a key role in both the strategic and operational management of BCRPP including the development, management and delivery of the Programme of Activity. Members are asked to approve Council continuing to take on this role, with officers supporting the 2026 / 2027 programme including governance processes, administering programme funded expenditure and entering into associated contracts on behalf of and with oversight from the Taskforce, and in line with Council’s procurement processes.

 

4.15     The BCRPP Partnership is supported and funded by public, private and key anchor institution partners, with external funding forming the majority of the overall programme delivery budget. Members are asked to note the proposed approach to the 2026 / 2027 Programme and approve the Council investment (from existing and approved City Regeneration & Development Budget) as part of the wider public private partnership contribution towards the delivery of the 2026 / 2027 Programme.

 

4.16     Council has facilitated and supported a Team Belfast presence at MIPIM since 2016. Following the positive feedback from MIPIM 2026, the Taskforce has endorsed a Belfast City Region presence at MIPIM 2027, in line with the approach taken by other UK cities and the Irish Government, and has recommended its inclusion within the wider BCRPP programme of activity for 2026 / 2027. The Taskforce considers that, to effectively showcase Belfast and the wider City Region, civic leadership and attendance by Belfast City Council is essential. Members are therefore asked to approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2027, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM will be funded through the wider public?private BCRPP Partnership budget.

 

4.17     Following positive engagement at UKREiiF 2026, Committee approval is sought for the Chair of City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Council’s nominated Elected Member / Chair of the BRCD Council Panel, or nominated representatives, to attend UKREiiF 2027 to participate in wider BCRPP activity at UKREiiF, including participation in a Belfast City Region Showcase event. Members should note that the BCRPP presence at UKREiiF will be funded from the wider public-private BCRPP Partnership budget.

 

5.0 Financial and Resource Implications

 

5.1 The BCRPP Partnership is delivered as a public private sector sponsorship fund and is supported by a range of public, private and key anchor institutions who contribute financially towards the 2025 / 2026 programme, with external and private sector funding forming the majority of the overall programme budget. It is anticipated that the majority of the 2026 / 2027 programme budget will again be funded through external funding.

 

5.2 Council has previously agreed to contribute of £80,000 towards the 2025 / 2026 Programme, and subject to Members agreement it is proposed that Council contribute £80,000 (from existing and approved City Regeneration and Development Budget) as part of the wider public private partnership investment towards the delivery of the 2026 / 2027 programme.

 

5.3 Approval is sought for attendance of senior officers at MIPIM 2027. Travel costs for Council attendance at MIPIM 2027 to be met from within existing and approved departmental budgets.  All other costs related to the Belfast City Region presence at MIPIM would be met from the 2026 / 2027 BCRPP Partnership programme budget.

 

5.4 Committee approval is sought for the Chair of City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Council’s nominated Elected Member / Chair of the BRCD Council Panel, or their nominated representatives, to attend UKREiiF 2027 to participate in wider BCRPP activity at UKREiiF, including attendance at a Belfast City Region Showcase event. Travel costs for Member attendance at UKREiiF 2027 to be met from within existing and approved departmental budgets. All other costs related to the BCRPP presence at UKREiiF will be funded from the 2026 / 2027 BCRPP Partnership programme budget.

 

6.0 Equality or Good Relations Implications /

      Rural Needs Assessment

 

      None associated with this report.”

 

            The Director highlighted the update in respect of community engagement and advised the Committee that, further to its decision in June, 2025, to recommend the establishment of a Community Forum/Reference Group, BCRPP had established a Community Forum in November, 2025, to provide a mechanism for engagement between the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sectoral Advisory Panel (for Community Planning) and BCRPP partners to help maximise the social, environmental and economic benefits associated with forthcoming investment and development.

 

            She highlighted also the work of the partnership in relation to advocacy and engagement with policymakers, the public sector and the real estate community, which included engagement to support the Council led Belfast Place-Based Growth Proposition and participation at national and international investment focused events.

 

            The Committee:

 

i.       noted the update on the Belfast City and Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) programme for 2025/26, as set out within the report;

 

ii.     approved that officers would continue to support the delivery of the BCRPP programme for 2026/27, which would include governance processes, administering programme funded expenditure, and entering into associated contracts on behalf of and with oversight from the BCRPP Taskforce in line with the Council's procurement processes;

 

iii.    approved Council investment, from existing and approved City Regeneration and Development Budget, as part of the wider public-private sector partnership contribution towards the delivery of the BCRPP programme for 2026/27;

 

iv.    approved the attendance of Council senior officers at MIPIM 2027 as part of the BCRPP 2026/27 programme, and noted that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM would be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget; and

 

v.     approved the attendance of the Chairperson and the Council’s nominated elected Member/Chair of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) Council Panel, or their nominees, to attend the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in 2027 as part of the BCRPP 2026/27 programme, and noted that the BCRPP presence at UKREiiF 2027 would be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget.